'Team Geran' looks for Kilcoy consolations

By Glenn Davis

The mother and son training partnership of Corey and Kylie Geran narrowly missed claiming its first Toowoomba Cup last Saturday and will be looking for a change of luck when it heads to Kilcoy on Thursday.

'Team Geran' almost pulled off a career highlight when former Victorian Nikau Spur finished second to the Chris Munce-trained Military Gambler in the 2000 metre feature.

“It was a good run from Nikau Spur to run second in the Toowoomba Cup and Our Magnus ran a great race to finish fifth in the Weetwood Handicap,” Corey said.

“We’re taking a few down to Kilcoy on Thursday and hopefully we can get a winner, which will be a bit of a consolation.”

'Team Geran' accepted with three runners – Sempreinte, Anthropica and Rudimentary - in the Class 3 Handicap over 1500 metres.

However, dual-acceptor Sempreinte will opt for the Benchmark 68 Handicap after drawing the outside barrier in the Class 3 event while the Gerans scratched Rudimentary in favour of the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1500 metres as well. 

“Sempreinte has got some ability but he drew wide in the Class 3 and has a good draw in the Benchmark race,” Corey said.

“He was beaten less than two lengths at the Sunshine Coast last time and from barrier one, the Benchmark race looks winnable.

“He was bought off the Gai Waterhouse stable in Sydney by local Toowoomba trainer Michelle Labahn before we got him.”

Corey, who is the son of popular Toowoomba jockey Gary Geran, believes Anthropica has strong claims in the Class 3 Handicap from barrier two.

Anthropica – an Alisha Donald mount – has had four starts this campaign and is coming off a last start fourth in a 1400 metre Class 2 race at Dalby on September 16.

Rudimentary finished third in an 1800 metre Benchmark race at Goondiwindi a week earlier and has gained a start from third emergency in the Benchmark 58 Handicap.

“Anthropica always takes time to hit her straps and she looks a good chance in this race off a good barrier,” Corey said.

“We’ve only had her for around 12 months after buying her second hand off Andrew Dale at Albury.

“She won her maiden at Toowoomba at her second start for us last year and she won again in January this year at Dalby before we spelled her.”

Corey also rates Rudimentary an each-way hope despite a drop back in distance.

“We bought Rudimentary from Victoria as well and he won his first start for us in a maiden at Rockhampton,” he said.

“He’s coming back from 1800 to 1500 metres but hopefully he’ll be in the finish too.”

The Gerans also are hopeful with last-start Toowoomba winner Skater in the Ratings 0-58 Handicap over 1900 metres.